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Chronic Kidney Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis
- The evaluation will begin with a medical history and a physical
examination
- Blood testing will be performed.
- Urine testing will also be performed.
- Ultrasound or CT scan may be necessary to determine the underlying
cause.
- Rarely, a kidney biopsy may be necessary.
Treatment
- Specific treatments that address the underlying cause of kidney
disease may halt the loss of kidney function. In particular, patients
with diabetes mellitus or hypertension should be treated aggressively
to control blood sugar and blood pressure. Angiotensin–converting
enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, such as lisinopril or captopril, are especially
helpful blood pressure medications for individuals with kidney
disease.
- Sodium restriction and/or diuretics are usually needed
to reduce fluid retention and swelling.
- Anemia is common in kidney
disease patients. In patients with iron deficiency, supplemental
iron should be used. Patients with advanced kidney disease are
usually treated with a medication called erythropoietin.
- Exercise,
both in the form of resistance training and aerobic exercise, can
help patients with kidney disease.
- Ultimately, dialysis or kidney
transplantation may be necessary.
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